Forests and old mines of Sulcis

1st day: tour start day
Transfer or independent arrival to a lovely hotel located near Pula, where we get to know each other while our guides will explain the route at the welcome meeting and deliver bikes. Dinner and overnight.

2nd day: Pula loop (61 km, climb 890mt)
We soon make the acquaintance of the landscape that will accompany us throughout the week: the Mediterranean forest with ilex and cork trees. An exciting and rather challenging descent will lead us to Chia, probably the most beautiful beach in southern Sardinia. We return to Pula riding along the old Roman coastal road connecting the settlements of Nora and Bithia and we admire the breathtaking view.

3rd day: Pula - Nuxis (67 km, climb 1280mt)
Life is hard on the sharp bends of Piscinamanna! In few kilometres we reach 700mt a.s.l., but the following descent will reward us for the effort made. We then take a deserved rest in Santadi at the local winery that produces the famous Terre Brune label. Later, we continue to reach Nuxis, our stop for tonight.

4th day: Nuxis - Domusnovas (48km, climb 1180mt)
Today we enter the mining area passing through the sites of Rosas and Orbai. After enjoying our picnic in the idyllic setting of a centenary olive grove, we venture into the bowels of the earth to discover the scenic wonders of the San Giovanni cave. We sleep in an elegant agriturismo dominating the spectacular forest of Marganai.

5th day: Domusnovas - Fighezia (52 km, climb 850mt)
We cross the ilex woods of Tinny to reach the abandoned mining site of Arenas. We then visit the Roman temple of Antas, that for centuries laid undiscovered in a remote valley. The brilliant descent to Buggerru takes us back to the sea at the spectacular bay of Portixeddu.

6th day: Fighezia - Montevecchio (56 km, climb 1300mt)
Today, we follow the coastline to reach the unspoilt beach of Scivu The old villages of Ingortosu and Montevecchio remind us the significant role that mining played in this area in the years gone by.

7th day: Montevecchio loop tour (38 km, climb 920mt)
After the centre of Montevecchio, we enjoy the truly spectacular single track descent along the Rio Irvi. We will cross it 18 times before arriving to one of the most fascinating spots of the island: Piscinas beach with its sand dunes over 50 m high - some of the highest in Europe. The afternoon climb is a nice way to say arrivederci to Sardinia as we slowly move inland from the Costa Verde following the unique profile of Monte Arcuentu.

8th day: end of tour
After breakfast, end of services.

Cycling legs: 6

• Leg 1
• Leg 2
• Leg 3
• Leg 4
• Leg 5
• Leg 6

Legenda
easy (distance less than 45 km, elevation gain less than 500 m)
medium (distance less than 45 km, elevation gain between 500 m 800 and m)
challenging (distance more than 45 km, elevation gain more than 800 m)